Search This Blog

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Fun things with the kids

50 Things You and the Kids Should Do Before New Year’s Eve

http://www.blogger.com/goog_846444056

12-28-2011


A compilation of 50 ideas and inspirations to help teachers or parents do fun things with the kids:

* Cut mittens out of doilies and string them up with yarn
* Grab glitter and printer paper for homemade snow flakes;
* Slide photos or drawings inside empty snow globes;
* Fill old tights with cotton, grab googly eyes and felt and you’ve got a silly door sweep.

Etc...
I like the snow flakes idea!  Try it with kids at home and they all like the magic of having one cut yet multiple pattern.  To them, it is just like magic show!

Read More at http://www.ivillage.com/fun-things-do-winter-kids/6-b-300886#ixzz1hq8hYY9s

Enjoy!

Dexterine Ho Soo Miang

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Paper art: creating optical illusion experience 2

The optical illusion experience for this work is to make you think that the balls can roll automatically upward:



"日本:球往高处走 眼见不为实" is the orginal title.

The narration is in Mandarin, yet if you just view it from beginning to end, you will understand how your eyes can be fooled by paper craft!

You may like to amuse others by making the model used in the above video!

The orginal designer is a Japanese Mathematician and he demonstrated it in video in 2010!

I think it is a great teaching tool!

Cheers!

Dexterine Ho Soo Miang

Monday, December 26, 2011

Paper Crafts from Yamaha

Make your own paper models of motorcycles, rare animals and more from Yamaha at
http://www.yamaha-motor.co.jp/global/entertainment/papercraft/


"Easy-to-follow video clips explain everything from basic Paper Craft techniques and how to make major parts of the Realistic Paper Crafts, right up to the final assembly. Full of useful tips for efficient construction and superb finish! Watch it, and you'll want to make a Realistic Paper Craft yourself!"

Read the FAQ from the web page to clear some of the common doubt at http://www.yamaha-motor.co.jp/global/entertainment/papercraft/faq/:

=====
Q-01: How can I print out?

Q-02: What kind of paper is the best to print out the data on?

Q-03: How much does it cost to download the paper craft data?

Q-04: The paper craft data cannot be displayed.

Q-05: How do I store PDF files?

Q-06: I don't have a printer. Will you send me the printout of the data?

Q-07: Is it OK to save the paper craft data on a CD-ROM and distribute it with a magazine?

Q-08: Is it OK to use the paper craft for non-profit events, such as exhibitions and PC instructions?

Q-09: Is it possible to use the paper craft for sales promotional purposes for printers, paper, etc.?

Q-10: Can I introduce the paper craft in mass media, like magazines and TV?

Q-11: How do I do to make tires of realistic paper crafts well?
=====

Designer: Nobutaka Mukouyama
http://www.yamaha-motor.co.jp/global/entertainment/papercraft/designer/

=====
Born in Tokyo. Graduated from the Design Department, Art School at Hachioji Engineering Institute in 1997.

He was a member of the Idea Bureau Co., Ltd., then became a freelance paper craft designer.

Taking the opportunity to be in charge of planning and production of "VMAX," the first phase of realistic paper crafts at the 1997 Tokyo Motor Show's special site, he took charge of planning and production of all paper craft series published on the Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. website, including "THE SEASONS," "Rare Animals of Japan," "Rare Animals of the World" and "Realistic Paper Craft".

Message from the designer:

It takes considerable time and technique to complete assembly of a paper craft, but that effort includes the joy of completion.

In addition to enjoying the charm of paper, please make the surprise and discovery from flat to solid as joyously as possible, a transformation from the world of "watching" in two dimensions to "touching" in three.
=====
Designer's Website: Nobutaka Mukouyama Space at http://www.mukouyamaku-kan.com/

=====
Personally I like the pop-up card at http://www.yamaha-motor.co.jp/global/entertainment/papercraft/popupcard/

If you try a few with kids and show them how to do it, you will understand paper pop-up and paper engineering with some personal touch!

With that, I with you a happy boxing day!


Dexterine Ho Soo Miang

Sunday, December 25, 2011

Paper art: creating optical illusion experience 1



There are a lot of video on youtube that illustrated the magic of optical illusions.

I view them with interest and thought of transferring the ideas to paper art work in school to create optical illusion experience.

I think students will learn a lot from crafting the object and learn something interesting along the way!

You may like to amuse others by making the model used in the above video!

Source of video: unknown

Cheers!


Dexterine Ho Soo Miang

Saturday, December 24, 2011

Paper Toys

If you like paper toys and paper models/cut-outs, here is what you would enjoy.

Print out airplanes, party hats, paper cars, paper motorcycles, and pop-up cards from this free site: http://papertoys.com/

Some of the models I like are:

London Taxi

King's Crown

Paper Doll

Pop-Up Card: Bird

Completely free!

Dexterine Ho Soo Miang

Friday, December 23, 2011

Napkin folding: how to fold a dinner jacket

How To Learn A Dinner Jacket

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uikE-w_eDnY&feature=related

Amazing and magnificent ideas on napkin folding from an author of the book with years of experience in the trade!

This video is a useful time-saver that will enable you to get good at napkin folding, a refine dining etiquette for any host who likes to please their guest.

If you learn the method, you can apply it on gift wrapping, card making and other create craft using paper or clothe!

Cheers!

Dexterine Ho Soo Miang

How to wrap a present creatively



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swuiAiellVg&feature=related

This video from Howcast give a step by step approach to gift wrapping in general and share many great tips on wrapping gifts of all sizes creatively.

The square box shape is used to demonstrate the basic measurement method and it is a good to see how big the wrapper is required. I think the measurement for the ribbon may need some adjustment depending on the height of the gift, so do your trial and error, you will discover the right length of the ribbon required for your own gift.

Dexterine Ho Soo Miang

=====

Become a wrap artist! Learn how to make every present look festive, no matter what shape or size.

To complete this How-To you will need:

A gift box
Wrapping paper
Scissors
Tape
A bow or ribbon
Cardboard boxes or balloons
Fabric
Children's bedsheets
Chinese takeout containers, empty paper towel rolls, or oatmeal canisters
Matching boxes in various sizes
Two-sided tape

Step 1: Master the basic technique

Master the basic wrapping technique: Begin by placing the gift box on the paper, top side down. Fold one end of the wrapping paper over the box to see how much paper you'll need to completely cover it. Add two inches to that length, and cut the paper there.

Step 2: Center the box

Center the box, noting how much paper is on the short sides that are going to be folded and taped. Having enough paper to cover two-thirds of those sides when the paper is folded down is ideal. Any more, and it will bunch up when you try to fold the edges.

Tip: If you have excess paper on those sides, push the box to the ideal distance on one side and trim the other side accordingly.

Step 3: Start folding

Fold one end of the paper over the top of the box. When you're sure it's straight, tape it to the box. Then fold the other end over it and tape again. If one edge of the paper is uneven from being cut, fold it over a bit to create a straight edge.

Tip: Use double-sided tape for a more polished look.

Step 4: Fold the edges

Now fold the paper down over one of the sides of the box. Take the diagonals that have been formed and fold them inward. Then bring the bottom flap up and tape it in the center. Repeat with the other side.

Step 5: Add a bow

Press on a stick-on bow, or cut a piece of ribbon that's about five times the length of the gift box & wrap it around the top of the package, lengthwise, until the ends meet in the middle of the bottom of the box. Twist them around each other at the center of the box, bring them back up to the top of the package, & make a knot before tying a bow.

Tip: If the ribbon is ribbed, take a pair of scissors, hold the ribbon ends taut, and pull the blade along them to make curls.

Step 6: Solve the size problem

Wrap an oversize present by taking apart some large cardboard moving boxes and building one big bottomless box that you can cover in paper and place over the gift. Or, just smother the present in balloons.

Step 7: Cover in fabric

Wrap gifts with sharp edges in fabric; it won't tear like paper. Just plop the item in the center, gather the material at the top, and tie with a thick ribbon. Fabric shops offer great deals on end-of-the-bolt pieces.

Tip: Have a big, bulky present for a child? Wrap it in a bedsheet featuring their favorite cartoon character.

Step 8: Recycle household goods

Think about everyday items that could hold hard-to-wrap gifts: Chinese takeout containers, empty paper towel rolls, oatmeal canisters.

Step 9: Create a gift set

A dramatic way to present three or four gifts of varying sizes is to create a gift tower: Place the presents in matching boxes of descending size, wrap the boxes in the same or complementary paper, stack them, and tie the tower together with ribbon.

Source of information: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swuiAiellVg&feature=player_embedded

Swiss gift packing



Good and swiss job!

She did the wrapping soo fast and fawless and it is enjoyable to see how easy she make people think gift wrapping is all about!

I love how she did the bow thing as the ribbon is one continuous loop and never cut out until the bow is done!

If you find it hard to figure out how to do it, just view it again and with a lot of pauses to accurately follow what she did. Good jobshe did that soo fast and fawless

Monday, December 19, 2011

How to tie a scraf: multiple ways

How To Tie a Scarf : simple and easy ways



The gClauds Scarf Knot!




Many ways of tieing a scraf: 圍巾多樣綁法7.wmv

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Learn to tie a necktie with ease

How to tie a necktie

這招要學起來〔打領帶〕



Many people don't know how to tie a necktie for themselves!

A lot more do not know how to tie it for others!

If you have the difficulty doing it right, just watch this video with a tie in hand and practise the method along the way, you will find it easy!

I like this creative solution and will use the same method to tie my long scraf!

If you like the traditional way, the following video will suit you:

How To Tie a Tie for BEGINNERS - Double windsor how to tie a tie video



Both video show the Double Windsor knot which is a popular symmetrical necktie knot.

The Double Windsor is a formal knot suitable for interviews or weddings.

Both video recordings teach you how to tie a tie with ease.

Don't worry if this is your first trial, as the video walks beginners through step by step.

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Princeton Online: Incredible Art Department

Since 1994 - the oldest art education site on the net!

So much to see on this site!
 
http://www.princetonol.com/groups/iad/index.html

"Welcome to The Incredible Art Department. This site began in late 1994 as a showcase for my elementary art students in a school in Indianapolis, Indiana. This site was the second educational website in Indiana. The first was a 5th grade classroom in Brookview Elementary. My district was not ready for this exposure so they told me to remove the site. Instead of completely folding it, I decided to open it up to the world. The response was phenomenal. I received 8,555 visitors the first year. Now the site receives millions of visitors each year."

Personally, I like "The Art Teacher Toolbox" at http://www.princetonol.com/groups/iad/links/toolbox.html "It is a resource for homeschoolers and new teachers. You can read about art curriculum and instruction, discipline strategies, special education, NCLB, best practices, school law, view contests, and create rubrics."

The problem in find good art and craft sources from this site is to differetial advertisements from the good information sources.  The advertisement is shown first and is blocking your navigation path and move you away from your orginal search.

Nevertheless, if you are patient enough, you may find good sites like "Art for small hands" at  http://www.artforsmallhands.com/ for teaching pre-schoolers.

I like the "Collection of Student Art Galleries" at http://www.princetonol.com/groups/iad/links/kid_galleries.html it open the door to students' art and craft work from all over the world!

If you are interested to trace the history of the site and look at the pages in 1994 to 2011, you may click the links near the bottom of this page "IAD Website Designs through the years" at http://www.princetonol.com/groups/iad/history/history.html

I like looking at old pages as they illustrate the changes in the history of Internet with "look and feel", For example, the 1994-46 webpage, was made for the Netscape browser which was "cool" at that time as it replaced text based browsers!  Well, Web browers do have history that younger generation are not aware of.  It is a good site for me who is a "Library Trainer" to use it in my training and show the evolution of information studies in "retrospective mode"!

Cheers!

Dexterine Ho Soo Miang

Monday, December 5, 2011

Origami Christmas Tree (Pine Tree)




It is fun and easy to make a Christmas tree this way!

Try it wiht kids, they will love it!

Sunday, December 4, 2011

CD recycling ideas



棋茵Chyin老師,利用廢棄光碟&糖果襪的結合創作出生活實用物品,手機座、相框、杯墊、筆筒、針插、花器、收納盒...www.chyin.com.tw 棋茵DIY手工藝網

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Sharp Hand Made Books

Exploring Artistry through Book Forms: Sharon A. Sharp

http://www.sharphandmadebooks.com/


If you like creative book making, visit sharphandmadebooks, here are three web pages I would like to recommend:

http://www.sharphandmadebooks.com/shared-spaces-bookmaking/


Photographed images show the basic book formats: accordion (green), pamphlet (red), origami-style (yellow), and flag-style (blue).

http://www.sharphandmadebooks.com/book-arts-for-literacy/


Offer a number of book styles for your own creative wanderings.


http://www.sharphandmadebooks.com/portfolio/


http://www.sharphandmadebooks.com/mammoth-cave-pictured-rocks/


Two pamphlet-stitched folios with inkjet printing are connected by an interlocking accordion structure containing extensive handwriting. The larger accordion is a linocut printed on a Vandercook press, and the smaller, torn-edged accordion (representing the hydrologic cycle) is a handwritten strip.